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We were offered a set of the Grimm blocks when the children were born, and they are probably the toys that we played the most with. They are still part of the fantasy land of our 5 years old Iris; she finds all sorts of uses for the curved pieces : bridge, boat, bed… This is when I don’t steal the blocks to add a bit of color to our living room. In other words : a must have!

“Discover a world of color and creative play with these fantastic nesting and stacking blocks by Grimm’s, made of natural wood in beautiful rainbow colors, in the style of educational Waldorf toys. Blocks to inspire creative play and develop motor skills among budding artists, architects, builders and craftspeople. Made in Germany. At sweetwilliamltd.com“

Fun! Lamps by the Dutch design duo Job Smeets and Nynke Tynagel of Studio Job.

Paper garlands les colocataires – available at boutique ZOU, 7 rue Houdon, Paris 18.

Moulded chairs by Paola Navone – car interiors’moulding technology combined with iconic woven-vinyl laundry bags pattern

www.eumes.it

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Junior Living specializes in versatile furniture that adapts to the needs of growing children. Ideal for small rooms where space is at a premium, this wall mounted desk unit requires no floor space and provides a work area for 1 or 2 children. The desk has practical shelving for CD’s, books etc and a central aperture for a 17″ PC screen or laptop. The work area is supported by retractable steel brackets that enable it to be locked upright to hide any clutter. A cable management system allows easy access to a power supply.
Junior Living Wall Desk, £303 –   www.funktionalley.com

An e-store is in preparation for Punch’n’Cuddle (May). Meanwhile, the brand is currently looking for childrens institutions (or other social institutions) that would be interested in testing the product. So, if you are involved in any capacity in a childrens institution (kindergarden, school, social facility, etc.), based in or around London and want to participate, you will get a free sample in return of feedback about what it’s like to have a Punch’n’Cuddle as a playmate. Spread the word!

punchncuddle.com

I played with these toys when I was a little girl… sewing machine and washing machine “comme maman“, cash register like a real merchant. So much fun!  They are all available at Bianca and family, and I am sure that they are still fun for our children. I still occasionally read some good old “Martine” to my girls and they love it. A real piece of French culture…

Happy anniversary to Les Petits Bohèmes who celebrated their one year in December. The website and e-store was founded by Mathild, a creative mom in love with beautiful things and furniture/objects from the past. Les Petits Bohemes was a very natural process for her, she did not have to think too long before launching it. Mathild loves unusual and unique pieces, the mix of design and industrial styles, the little self made stories and things created with the heart. Check out the wonderful finds coming from local flea markets and mixed with brands and designer’s objects that she loves (Lucky Boy Sunday, Evangelione, Désaccord). Jack of all trades, Mathild also knits and dyes the pieces that she can’t find anywhere.  Go for a treasure hunt!

http://lespetitsbohemes.bigcartel.com/

Ninetonine

Nonjetable

Great news for all the Design lovers : some smart people are cooking up an exclusive project around children’s design, to be displayed during Milano Mobile in April. Exactly what that vibrant, exciting and very international furniture fair was missing.

“Kids room – ZOOM! is a special home exclusively designed for children, staged and curated by unduetrestella founder Paola Noé together with Austrian children’s furniture designer Thomas Maitz. The project provides a snapshot of contemporary design for children and aims at moving this young, emerging creative scene into the center of public attention. An elegant apartment on the third floor of a residential building, located in an exclusive area in the heart of Milan, will open its doors to international design for children as well as to contemporary artists, publishers and food installations“.

The exhibitors, carefully selected, come from all over the world; some well established, some less known. The list includes byBODesign, Collect Furniture, Jaell und Tofta, Kalon Studios, Kidsonroof, Liliane, Momoll, Ninetonine, Nonjetable, Perludi, White Elephant Design Lab.

http://kidsroomzoom.com

Liliane

Kalon Studios

Collect Furniture

LEKA is a new Swedish company that produces high quality children’s furniture and accessories from the award winning designs of Evy Lindqvist Westerberg and Torbjörn Örgren (1950s and 1970s). The LEKA Trojan Horse is a Swedish design classic and is represented in the permanent collection of the Modern Museum in Stockholm. This versatile wooden ride-on also doubles as a practical storage box with a drop down tail for hiding away your child’s favourite toys and books. Available in Green, Red, White – W:200 L:540 H:350 mm, 5,8 kg. £79. Check www.funktionalley.com